In this episode of the Neutral Webinar, Nate Helbach sits down with Amelia Baxter, CEO and co-founder of Whole Trees, to explore the future of mass timber and its impact on sustainable development. From Whole Trees’ early days in residential design to cutting-edge structural research with MIT, Amelia shares how solid round timber can outperform steel, reduce carbon, and bring beauty and biodiversity into our buildings. We walk through carbon-smart supply chains, forest management strategies, EPD comparisons, and case studies like the Festival Foods Grocery and the Venice Biennale. If you're curious about what timber can do—and how design, data, and ecology come together—this one’s for you.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction and Meeting Setup
00:53 – Overview of Whole Trees Structures
03:34 – Challenges and Innovations in Structural Timber
06:51 – Product Offerings and Market Reach
08:08 – Case Studies and Project Examples
11:49 – Carbon Footprint and Environmental Impact
31:05 – Seismic Considerations and Market Diversification
35:49 – Residential and Commercial Applications
37:31 – Venice Biennale Exhibit and Future Directions
45:48 – Conclusion and Contact Information